Airway-opening device

Abstract

The present invention provides an airway securing device which more sufficiently secures the airway to enable resolution of snoring, prevention and treatment of sleep apnea syndrome, and other airway securing. The airway securing device of the present invention is provided with a wearable body 3 integrally including a mechanism 5 to close the mouth and elevate the jaw tip as needed.

1 . An airway securing device for securing an airway of a patient, comprising:
 a wearable body configured to be worn on the patient; and,   a mechanism provided to the wearable body and configured to close a mouth of the patient and elevate a jaw tip of the patient.   
   
   
       2 . The airway securing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism provided to the wearable body and configured to tilt a head of the patient backward. 
   
   
       3 . The airway securing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism provided to the wearable body and configured to detect an abnormality in the patient during sleep. 
   
   
       4 . The airway securing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the mechanism to detect an abnormality in the patient during sleep includes either or both of a device detecting apnea and/or hypopnea and a device detecting occurrence of snoring. 
   
   
       5 . The airway securing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism to close the mouth and elevate the jaw tip is formed by a pouch-like body which is inflated and deflated by air. 
   
   
       6 . The airway securing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism to close the mouth and elevate the jaw tip and the mechanism to tilt the head backward are formed by pouch-like bodies which are inflated and deflated by air, respectively. 
   
   
       7 . The airway securing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the wearable body is formed by clothing. 
   
   
       8 . An airway securing device for securing an airway of a patient, comprising:
 a wearable body having a collar-like body and configured to be worn on the patient; and   a pouch-like body provided at a front upper surface of the collar-like body of the wearable body and configured to be inflated and deflated by air to serve as a mechanism to close a mouth of the patient and elevate a jaw tip of the patient.   
   
   
       9 . The airway securing device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a pouch-like body provided at a rear back surface of the collar-like body of the wearable body and configured to be inflated and deflated by air to serve as a mechanism to tilt a head of the patient backward. 
   
   
       10 . The airway securing device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a mechanism provided in the collar-like body of the wearable body and configured to detect an abnormality in the patient during sleep. 
   
   
       11 . An airway securing device for securing an airway of a patient, comprising:
 a lower frame and an upper frame axially supported at respective both ends thereof so as to open and close, the upper frame touching a lower jaw of the patient when opened relative to the lower frame;   a first pulley and a second pulley fixed at both ends of the upper frame; and   a drive transmitting body fixed to the first pulley at one end thereof and wound around the first pulley and the second pulley, and configured to open and close the upper frame relative to the lower frame by a pushing and pulling operation thereof.   
   
   
       12 . The airway securing device according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an elastic body attached to the upper frame and the lower frame so as to be spanned therebetween and configured to always act on the upper frame such that the upper frame is moved in a closing direction relative to the lower frame; and   a buffering elastic body inserted in a part of the drive transmitting body on the second pulley side.   
   
   
       13 . The airway securing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a support frame attached to the lower frame and configured to prevent the upper frame and the lower frame from moving relative to a neck of the patient. 
   
   
       14 . The airway securing device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a drive device connected to the drive transmitting body and configured to push and pull the drive transmitting body. 
   
   
       15 . The airway securing device according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the upper frame and the lower frame is formed in a substantially U-shape. 
   
   
       16 . The airway securing device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a mechanism provided to the wearable body and configured to detect an abnormality in the patient during sleep. 
   
   
       17 . The airway securing device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a mechanism provided in the collar-like body of the wearable body and configured to detect an abnormality in the patient during sleep. 
   
   
       18 . The airway securing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a drive device connected to the drive transmitting body and configured to push and pull the drive transmitting body. 
   
   
       19 . The airway securing device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a drive device connected to the drive transmitting body and configured to push and pull the drive transmitting body.